The Chronicle LEVIN. SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 1916. RECRUITING.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 March 1916, Page 2

The Chronicle LEVIN. SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 1916. RECRUITING.

The advisableiiess ot giving wholehearted support to the Governmental scheme of recruiting in support ol : tin* expeditionary forces of .New Zealand has been recognised by tlio people throughout the dominion. In speaking to a reporter ot the Gis bo rue limes, fiie Hon. W. McDonald. Minister of Millet and Agncu'ltu re, said that only Gisborno and two other places in New Zealand hnd refused to support the Government's sche-me as launched by t.he Recruiting Board early in this year. In Borne general* comments on the matter, Mr. McDonald said "About ISO local bodies have supported' the scheme. In Gisbcvrn# they don't seem to realise what is wanted. As a matter ot fact, if there were 110 difficulties in the way. tin? Government, would not ask for any assistance. I see that m many places where they have got the committees going there has been good work done. "Has the scheme been tonnd practicable, then?" asked the reporter. "It has been found practicable, replied ' Mr. McDonald, "where -.hey have formed the committees. Some of them have done a lot already." "How did Mr. Masse,v, as chairman of the Recruiting Board, view Uisborne's attitude in turning down 'lie scheme?" wag the next question asked. "Oh, 1 will have a lot to tell them when 1 see them to-morrow." said Mr AUL>onafd, l "'an<J he intimated" that lie then was preparing a statement ,vu/i regard to recruiting matters generally. A remark was made regarding nonseription, and Mr. Me Dona W bore out repeated statements ol : the Fr'ime Minister that the Government was determined that a form of conscription would be brought 111 if the voluntary effort failed. At me same time, conscription, .he. said, could nlot be made effective a.t once, and it would be necessary to have all the particulars available under the national register. Goodi work could be done by committees under the new scheme m ascertaining how many men were available for the next few months. The remarks foregoing are -worthy of the serious consideration of every man amongst us. In saving th'is we abate 110 jot our advocacy of compulsory military service, but we do see clearly the cogency of the Ministerial argument that even if there were a system of compulsory military service authorised forthwith, it still would be necessary to depend upon the present system of voluntaryism for some little time to oome.